Local News

WAYNE COUNTY AUDITOR THREATENS LEGAL ACTION

(Richmond, IN)--Ongoing turmoil in the Wayne County Auditor’s office was on full display Wednesday.  It was just last week that a member of Wayne County Council called for Auditor Mark Hoelscher to resign after payroll issues surfaced.  Wednesday, at a workshop of council members and commissioners, discussion took place after a new employee in the office lasted all of one day and then quit.  "The lady that I hired - because of the turmoil between the Auditor (me) and County Council, she did not want the job," Hoelscher said.  Other leaders took issue with his statement.  "I would question that remark.  I talked with that lady.  She talked with me.  I'll let it go at that, but I don't agree," said Max Smith.  Hoelscher's resonse:  "That's okay.  I know what she told me."  Smith then responded with "same here."   Commissioners and council members urged Hoelscher to stabilize his office, but indicated they would not permit any more hiring until a personnel meeting.  They also emphasized county payroll is being met.  Hoelscher ended the meeting Wednesday by threatening legal action against his fellow elected officials.